Football: Zidane battling back

ITALIAN FOOTBALL

ZINEDINE ZIDANE is planning to shake off his World Cup hangover when Juventus take on Parma this weekend.

Zidane, the two-goal hero of France's World Cup final victory, has struggled with injury and a lack of form since rejoining his team-mates in Turin, but the midfielder has promised to put those problems behind him today.

"I'm not yet in top form, but that's because of starting the pre-season preparations late," he said. "Then I had a knee injury. But don't worry, the real Zidane is on his way.

"So far, I've never been able to show what I can really do against Parma, but this time I hope I will. Alessandro Del Piero has said he just needs one goal to get going again and I need one as well."

Parma, who will be fielding Zidane's World Cup team-mates Lilian Thuram and Alain Boghossian, have managed just two points from their two opening games.

In Channel 4's live game tomorrow, Internazionale, after earning all three points against Piacenza last week, will be hoping for a match-winning performance from a rejuvenated Ronaldo at Empoli.